Hamlin, who has announced this will be her last Olympics, is excited for the chance to carry the flag and represent America. According to USA Today, she said being recognized by her teammates "means a ton:"

"Winning a medal is the effort you put in and the time and the work and sacrifice to succeed and achieve something," Hamlin said. "That's all on me. That's something I've done. Getting this honor is different because its people looking at the work you've put in and acknowledging that. It's my fellow Team USA athletes who gave me this. That means a ton."

Hamlin burst onto the scene when she pulled off an improbable upset at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. She earned a bronze medal in the luge, becoming the first non-German or Austrian woman to medal in 20 years. Since 1964, only five women not from German or Austria have medaled in the event.

Hamlin said she is nervous about representing Team USA on such a grand stage.

"The nerves will be flying for sure," Hamlin said. "I slide that's what I do. Put me at the top of a track; that's my happy place. Walking out in front of a lot of people and even more people watching from home ... that's going to be way more nerve wracking."

The opening ceremonies start on Friday, February 9 at 6 am ET and will be broadcast live on NBC. They will also be streamed live and on-demand atNBCOlympics.com.